Rotor wheel



Dec. l, 1953 I o, M, KOsKlNEN 2,660,957

ROTOR WHEEL Filed March 16, 1949 ELC/f INVENTOR. /drl' /f /o si: 7767?.

Hwa? HW Patented Dec.`1, 1953 ROTOR WHEEL Olavi M. Koskinen, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application March 16, 1949, Serial No. 81,790

2 Claims.

This invention relates to bladed rotor wheels in general and is specifically concerned with bladed impeller and turbine wheels which form a basic part of hydraulic torque transmitting devices. Y,

The bladed rotor wheels of hydraulictorque transmitting devices have heretofore been constructed chiefly by casting the blade elements and their supporting shroud and web structures as integral units or by casting the blade elements separately and then mounting the blade elements in either separatelycast or stamped supporting shroud and web members. Both of these methods of manufacturing bladed rotor Wheels are tedious and expensive, and, due to the casting processes frequently producing warped or pitted or rough surfaced products offvariable porosity, the resultant rotor wheels frequently produce undesirable vibrations or they may leak or cause undesirable turbulence in the uid passed through the cell-shaped channels in the wheels. Accordingly, a method of economically producing an improved type of bladed rotor Wheel by stamping rather than casting has been developed and is herein disclosed.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a fluid operated rotor wheel in which the blade elements as well as the blade element supporting members are formed from relatively simple stampings which may be easily and economically manufactured and assembled to provide a rotor wheel of superior quality at a reduced cost.

It is another object of this invention to pro-Y vide a fluid operated rotor wheel having stamped blade elements which are so formed that upon assembly they. interfit with adjacent blade elements and with preformed projections on their supporting members so as to mutually support each other and thus reinforce and rigidify the resulting wheel assembly.

It is a further object of this invention toprovide a fluid rotor wheel formed from stamped shell and blade elements wherein the shells have integrally formed blade element supporting formations thatI intert with mating integrally formed formations on the associated blade elements so that the supporting shell members provide an assembly xture'for the blade elements and also provide the means for connecting the blades to the supporting shell members. This construction eliminates the usually required assembly fixture for positioning the blade elements within their supporting shell member and materially simplifies the assembly of the rotor wheel.

This invention also eliminates the use of separate rivet or welded blade mounting means in the 2 assembly of the blade elements and consequently reduces costs and labor materially.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a fluid rotor wheel formed from stamped blade elements arranged within a, supporting shell wherein the blade elements have integral formations on their flange portions adapted to coact with the integral mating formations on the supporting shell members to insure proper spacing of the blade elements within the supporting shell.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a, rotor wheel formed from stamped blade elements connected directly to a stamped exterior casing member in a manner which eliminates the need -for an intermediate supporting shell member. As a result of the elimination of the intermediate supporting shell and separate blade connecting means, as well as several pinching andv pressing steps, the method of manufacture of a rotor Wheel has been simplified and the cost of production of such a wheel materially reduced.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved method of manufacture of rotor wheels.

The above and other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection With the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 isa sectional View of a hydraulic torque converter having bladed impeller and turbine Wheels embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional eleva-tion through the impeller Wheel of the torque converter shown in Fig. 1, the view being taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation through the turbine wheel of the torque converter herein disclosed, the view being taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig.v 4 is a perspective view of one of the blade elements and a portion of the torus ring used to fabricate thevimpeller and turbine wheels of the torque converter herein disclosed.

Fig. 1 shows a portion of a hydraulic torque converter unit A wherein a driving shaft I0 is connected by a flexible drive plate II to the torque converter casing I2 within which are mounted 'the bladed rotor wheels I4, I5, I6 and I'I. Wheell is the driving or impeller wheel and itis drivingly connected to the torque converter casing I2 so that it willY be rotated by the driving shaft I0. Wheel I5 is the driven or turbine vvheel which is adapted to be driven by the impelled uid that is circulated within the converter casing I2 due to rotation of driving shaft I0. Turbine wheel I3 is drivingly mounted on the forward end portion of a driven shaft I6 by means of a riveted connection I9 between the driven shaft flange 23 and the turbine wheel shell 2|. Mounted concentrically about the driven shaft I8, and extending axially within the con verter casing I2, is a iixedly mounted sleeve 24 which is adapted to rotatably support the guide or reaction Wheels I3 and Il. The guide Wheels It and Il are connected to the fixed sleeve `2li through separate one-way roller brakes 25 which permit only forward rotation of the wheels "I6 and Il, that is, in the normal direction of rota tion of the shaft i3 andthe drivingwheel 1M, and prevent reverse rotation of the wheels I6 and in a direction opposite to that of the shaft I0 and wheel I. The manner of .operation of this hydraulic torque converter unit is thought to .be obvious and as the operation of the converter forms no part oi this invention a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

It has been customary practice in'thepast to 'cast the converterimpeller and turbine-Wheels I4 and I5 but this method of `manufacture hasbeen expensive, time consuming, and tedious, and the resulting wheels have not always been of the highest quality due to inherent defects associated with the casting processes. lln rotor wheel constructio-ns where stamped blade elements and stamped supporting shell members have 4been used it has been conventional assembly practice to first provide the dish-lilte blade supporting -shell and then mount a set of the blade elements in a xture or jig after which `the xture or jig ispositioned within the dish-like supporting shell so as to locate the blade elements in their desired positions. The next step consisted of fixedly connecting the blade elementsto the supporting shell member and this was usuallyaccomplis'hed by riveting, Welding or connecting interengaged, mating, tab and slot connectors'formed on the blade elements and shell respectively. It is obvious that some icrm of vjig or xture would be required during these assembly steps to yretain the blade elements in their desired positions prior to their connection to the supporting shell member. This invention eliminates the Yuse of 4an assembly jig or iixture and certain other conventional parts of a rotor wheel andprovides lanjmproved, simplified, rotor wheel Which'is completely formed from stamped elements that may Abe easily, accurately, and economically assembled to provide a rotor wheel of superior quality.

'The impeller wheel I4 is composed ofthe relatively thick, ring-like, outer, supporting Vshell member I2 which has a dish-like cross lsectional conguration. Onthe'inner surface vof lthe semitoroidal shell member I 2 are'mountedga` plurality of substantially U-shaped blade or vane elements 3|.

The blade elements 3i (see Figs. Zand 4`) are preferably stamped elements of substantially U-shaped vcross sectional conguration and each blade element includes a relatively wide base iiange portion 32, a relatively wide transversely extending blade or web portion 33, and a relatively narrow inner flange portion 34 spaced from the base iange portion 32 and extending in a substantially parallel direction lwith respect thereto. It will be noted that the spaced flange portions 32 and 3d are curved about axes extending normal to the blade portion 33 so as to provide inner and outer curved Vflange portions `for the .blade portion 33.

CLI

tures 36 each of Which is adapted to receive a kstud rivet or the like I3.

The relatively thick .outer shell member I2 of the converter unit A is formed with the integral male rivet member I3 projecting from the inner surface thereof.

.Rivet members vI3 are formed during the stamping of the converter shell member I2 and consequently involve'practically no increase in cost ofviabrication of the shell member i2. As the shell I2 is formed from relatively thick material there is more than enough material available to formthe solidrivet members I 3 without weakening the shell r`member I2 in any way. As a result of the integral formation of the rivets I3 it will be noted that the outer shell I2 is not pierced by openings of any sort that ,would require sealing to make the shell leak-proof. By forming the rivet members I3 on the inner surface of the shell I2 yit is possible `to eliminate completely the conventional outer shroud member for the impeller which shroud member is usually positioned adjacent thennersurface of the shell I2 and connected thereto by welding, brazing or the like. The conventional shroud member for an impeller Wheel is of relatively thin stock and usually has the blade elements secured thereto by welding, brazing or by separate riveted connections. During assemblyof the blade elements on the shroud member a `jig Aor fixture is required to locate the blades .on the shroud member and to hold the'blades in assembled position while they are being connected toy the shroud member. By the construction herein disclosed it is possible to eliminate the various jigs or fixtures for assembling the blades on the impeller wheel and to also completely eliminate the conventional impeller wheel shroud member. The converter shell I2 with the integral, inwardly projecting rivets I3 provides ,both the assembly jig and the means for mounting .the blade elements on the shell'member. Obviously less labor and material is required in fabricating an impeller wheel of the type vherein disclosed .than one Which requires a separate shroud vmember and separate blade fastening means.

'The blade portion l33 vof leach blade element 3| Aisdsubstantially normal tothebase ange portion 132 'and extends outwardly from one side edge 32a thereof. `The`blade yportion 33 is preferably curved about axes normal'to the base flangeportion '3'2 but the blade Aportion'33 could be a perfectly flat surface if so desired.

'The other flange portion 34 of each blade element 3| extends transversely of the vblade portion33 and is disposed so as yto vextend from the same -`side of the blade portion 33 as that mounting 'the base flange portion 32 `and to project substantially parallel to flange portion 32. Flange portion 3'4 includes the struck out tabforrnation 35 which is adapted to provide a mounting means i for the'inner torus ring web member 3T.

The vinner 'torus ring member 3'! comprises a ring-shaped, dish-likemain body portion 38 and a bafe ange portion 40 projecting from one vedge of thebody portion 38. 'Bodyportion 38 is formed with spaced slots v 39 adapted to receive the 'tabs 35-that project from the inner flange 34 of` the' blade elements 3-I.

In assembling an impeller wheel of the type herein disclosed the ring-like blade -supporting shell member I2is used as anassembly fixture and then' a plurality of the substantially U- shaped blade elements 3I are concentrically mounted on the inner surface of shell I2 with the integral rivets I3 seated in the Aapertures 36 of thev Vblade element base flanges 32. Next the blade elements 3| are xedly connecting tothe shell I2 by deformingthe'free ends of the rivet studs I3 to provide head portions that clinch the blade elements to the shell member. With this arrangement it will be notedv that separate fixtures for mounting the blades 3| in the casing shell I 2jare dispensed with and shell I2 and blades 3'I carry preformed,` integral stud and slot positioning formations that may be readily interengaged during assembly of the rotor wheel. No separate rivets or welding or bracing material need be handled to securely fasten the blade elements 3| to the shell member i2 for the integral mating formations I3, 36 provide both positioning means for locating the blade elements on the shell member and fastening means to anchor the blade elements to theshell member. Accordingly, the mounting of the blade elements on this impeller wheel is quite simple and economical from a manufacturing standpoint. After connecting the blade elements 3i to the inner surface of the shell I2 the torus ring 31 is mounted on the inner flanges 34 of the blade elements 3| with the blade tabs 35 projecting through the slots 39 in the body portion 38 of the torus ring, The next step in assembly of the impeller wheel is to crimp the blade tabs 35 about the torus ring body portion 3B so as to lock the torus ring in assembled position on the blade elements. Fig. 2 shows the crimped connection between the tabs 35 and slotted portions 39 of the torus ring body portion 38. It will be noted that the flange 34 of the blade element 3| provides a shoulder formation against which the torus ring 31 seats when it is locked in assembled position. This tends to` rigidify the wheel assembly.

The turbine wheel l5 (see Figs. l and 3) is fabricated in a manner similar to that described for impeller wheel I4. In the case of the turbine wheel however the blade elements 4I, which are practically identical to the blade elements 3| of the impeller wheel, are mounted on a blade encircling shell member 2l that is formed from relatively thin material as compared to the relatively thick material used for outer casing shell I 2. The rivet members 22, stamped out of the thin shell 2l during fabrication thereof, are of the hollow type, but this does not create a sealing problem, as would be the case if hollow rivets were used on the impeller wheel, for the impeller wheel I5 rotates within the iiuid lled, leakproof outer shell I2 and fluid is present on both sides of the turbine wheel I5. The hollow rivets 22 provide seating studs on which to mount the apertures 46 in the base flanges 42 of the blade elements 4I during assembly of the blade elements on the shell 2i. The shell 2l serves as an assembly fixture, as was the case with shell I2 of the impeller wheel. of blade elements 4I include inner flange portions 44 which are formed with the tab members 45 adapted to be mounted in preformed slotted formations 49 in the body portions 48 of torus ring member 41. Torus ring member 41 has a The blade portions 43 tpl blade elements 4I on .the shell 2| and clinchingl the hollow rivets 22 to the blade element base portions42 then the torus ring 41 is mounted on the blade element inner flanges 44 with the tabs.

45 projecting through the slots 43 in the torus ring body portion 43. Final step inthe assembly of the turbine wheel I5 is the crimping of the tabs 49 about the torus ring body portion 48 to anchor the torus ring to the blade elements. Thev several advantages noted with regard to the impeller wheel I4 are likewise inherent in the turbine wheel herein disclosed. It is considered within the scope of this invention to form any of the wheels of a hydraulic torque transmitting device in accordance with either of the construc-l vtions hereindisclosed.v

The blade elements 3l are so shaped that the base iiange portions 32 accurately fit the contour of the inner surface of the shell I2 and extend circumferentially along this surface a distance approximately equal to the desired spacing of the blade elements. The free end 32h of each blade element base portion 32 practically abut against the-end edge 32a of the base flange portion 32 of an adjacent blade element and this arrangeyment assists in accurately 'spacing'the blade elements within the shell I2 and during assembly of the blade elements on the shell I2.

By this invention an improved type of rotor` wheel can be completely formed from a minimum of stamped elements with a minimum of skilled labor and the accurate assembly of the blade elements is assured due to the interlocking connections between the blade elements and supporting shell members. In addition the impeller wheel construction disclosed eliminates at least one of the conventional shroud elements from an impeller wheel assembly due to the provision for mounting the blade elements directly on the outer shell unit. At the same time the completely stamped construction assures smooth, accurately formed, blade surfaces that will create a minimum of turbulence and that will have a maximum life. and 2| serve as fixtures for the assembly of the blade elements the rotor wheels may be assembled in a minimum of time by the simplest processes and with unskilled labor.

The guide wheels I5 and I1, and their method of manufacture, are described in the copending application of Olavi M. Koskinen, Serial No. '72.668, filed January 25, 1949, now Patent No. 2,632,396.

I claim:

1. A bladecl wheel comprising a semi-toroidally shaped, imperforate, supporting casing having a plurality of integrally formed studs pressed out of and projecting from the inner surface of the casing, a plurality of blade elements mounted on the inner surface of said casing. and a blade connecting torus ringr concentrically arranged within said casing and mounted on said blade elements, each blade element being of substantially lJ-shaped cross sectional configuration and comprising a pair of spaced flanges and a connesting web, the flanges extending transversely to the web of each blade at opposite edges thereof and being curved about axes normal to the web, one flange of each blade element being formed to provide a torus ring receiving shoulder portion and including a projecting tab engage As the outer shell members I 2 able' with the torus ring', and the other flange' of eachl blade element being so shaped that it conforms to and may be supported on the casing inner surface, s'aidother flange' having. openings therethrough. that receive and are'.` connected to the' casingv studs, the said other flanges; bei-ng of such size and shape as to extend'` circumferentially along said inner sur-face of the casing and engage the web of an adjacent blade element to accurately space the blade elements aboutl the supporting casing member;

2. A bladed rotor wheel for a hydraulic torque transmitting device comprising a stamped, semitoro'idally shaped, outer casing member havingv a plurality of integrally formed stud members pressed out of and projecting from the inner sur-Y face thereof, a plurality of stamped blade elements of U-shaped cross sectional configuration assembled in annular formation within the casingr and mounted on the studson the inner surface of the casing member, and a tor'u's ring member arranged concentricall-y Within said casing member and supported by said bladeele-vr ments, eachl blade element comprising spaced flange portions connected by a transversely er: tending, normally disposed, Web-like blade por-A tion, one of. the flange portions on each blade' ele-'- ment` being shaped to conform to the inner surface of the casing member having openings there'- through receiving in mating, interengaged, relatio'nshipy certain of the stud members onl said" casing member, the'v other' flange portion` of' each blade element being shaped to conform to a sur'- faoe of the torus ring and including integrally formed connectingtab means engageable with mating connecting slot means on said torus ring member' to support said torus ring in spaced' relationship to said casing member, said casing member with its integral studs providing anassembly fixture. to facilitate the accurate mounting of the blade elementsy and the torus ring member Within the casing member.

OLAVI M. KOSKINEN.

References Cited in' the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,167,950` Wilcox Jan. 11, 1916 1,252,289 Murray Jan. 1, 1918 1,689,244 Klimek Oct. 30, 1928 1,868,146 Kiep July 19, 1932 1,890,226 Mathis Dec. 6, 1932 2,336,231l Dodge Dec. 7, 1943 2,428,134 Zeidler Sept. 30, 1.947 2,431,648 Mayne Nov. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Iiiniber Country Date 590,720 Great Britain July 25, 1947 

